Xochil Herrera
The Chicago Pattern Maker
About the Speaker
Named a "Rising Star" by SPESA in 2021, Xochil has a keen understanding of the production process through her network of factories and suppliers, and by staying closely involved with clients throughout their development. She is very passionate about Made in USA products, ethical sourcing and manufacturing, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the SEAMS Association, where she was honored with the Sarah Friedman "Person of the Year" Award in 2024. She serves as Secretary on the Executive Board for Apparel Industry Board Inc (AIBI) in Chicago, an organization she has been involved with for over a decade. Passionate about education and preparing the next generation in the sewn products industry, Xochil is an Adjunct Professor of Instruction at Columbia College Chicago's School of Fashion, where she leads workshops on industrial sewing and tech packs.
She also taught the Senior Capstone course Concept to Consumer for 5 years. Xochil enjoys promoting the textile and sewn products industry through learning experiences, collaborative events and continuous professional development. She has notably been involved with several industry tradeshows and conferences, planning, speaking and moderating educational sessions and panels. She writes a bi-monthly column "X-Files" for the SEAMS newsletter, and co-hosts a podcast called "Bobbin Around," and has contributed to e-Textile Communications.
Matchmaking Information
Texworld NYC
Xochil
Herrera
The Chicago Pattern Maker
Attending
Own Your Product Development - Why Patterns and Tech Packs are Critical for Your Brand's Success
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
Workshop Part 2 - Prototype to Production: Mastering Sample Evaluation and Factory Communication
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
Speaker's Sessions (7)
Date
Session
Workshop
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
In this two-hour workshop, Xochil Herrera, President and Founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker, will demystify the tech pack—the essential blueprint for bringing a garment design to life. Whether you're a designer, a brand owner, or a student, mastering the tech pack is crucial for effective communication with your production partners, especially with vendors like those at Texworld NYC.
What You'll Learn
We'll start by defining what a tech pack is and why it's the most critical document in the garment production process. You'll learn how to accurately and clearly communicate every design detail, from the specific fabric and trims to the intricate construction techniques. We'll show you how to create a comprehensive specification sheet that leaves no room for error, ensuring your vision is perfectly translated by fabric and manufacturing vendors. The workshop will cover the following key areas:● Understanding the Anatomy of a Tech Pack: Learn to read and interpret the various components of a tech pack, including the Bill of Materials (BOM), stitch and seam details, and colorways.
● Communicating with Vendors: Discover the best practices for sharing technical information with factories and material suppliers, helping you build strong, productive relationships.
● Creating Your Specifications: We'll provide examples of well-documented specs for various garment styles. You will get hands-on experience by beginning to create your own spec sheet during the session, with guidance from our experts.
Key Takeaways
How to Measure and Spec a Garment
Learn the industry standards for measuring a garment correctly. We will teach you how to create precise spec sheets and Points of Measure (POMs) that ensure consistent sizing and fit across all production runs. A well-executed spec sheet is the first step in quality control.Quality Control (QC)
We will show you how to use your tech pack as a Quality Control (QC) checklist. You’ll learn how to cross-reference the final product against your specifications to identify and correct any discrepancies, ensuring the finished garment meets your exact standards before it goes to market.
This workshop is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to streamline your production process, minimize costly errors, and ensure the quality of your finished products.
Speaker (1)
Xochil Herrera
The Chicago Pattern MakerSession
Workshop
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
In this two-hour workshop, Xochil Herrera, President and Founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker, will demystify the tech pack—the essential blueprint for bringing a garment design to life. Whether you're a designer, a brand owner, or a student, mastering the tech pack is crucial for effective communication with your production partners, especially with vendors like those at Texworld NYC.
What You'll Learn
We'll start by defining what a tech pack is and why it's the most critical document in the garment production process. You'll learn how to accurately and clearly communicate every design detail, from the specific fabric and trims to the intricate construction techniques. We'll show you how to create a comprehensive specification sheet that leaves no room for error, ensuring your vision is perfectly translated by fabric and manufacturing vendors. The workshop will cover the following key areas:● Understanding the Anatomy of a Tech Pack: Learn to read and interpret the various components of a tech pack, including the Bill of Materials (BOM), stitch and seam details, and colorways.
● Communicating with Vendors: Discover the best practices for sharing technical information with factories and material suppliers, helping you build strong, productive relationships.
● Creating Your Specifications: We'll provide examples of well-documented specs for various garment styles. You will get hands-on experience by beginning to create your own spec sheet during the session, with guidance from our experts.
Key Takeaways
How to Measure and Spec a Garment
Learn the industry standards for measuring a garment correctly. We will teach you how to create precise spec sheets and Points of Measure (POMs) that ensure consistent sizing and fit across all production runs. A well-executed spec sheet is the first step in quality control.Quality Control (QC)
We will show you how to use your tech pack as a Quality Control (QC) checklist. You’ll learn how to cross-reference the final product against your specifications to identify and correct any discrepancies, ensuring the finished garment meets your exact standards before it goes to market.
This workshop is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to streamline your production process, minimize costly errors, and ensure the quality of your finished products.
Speaker (1)
Xochil Herrera
The Chicago Pattern MakerSession
Workshop
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
In this two-hour workshop, Xochil Herrera, President and Founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker, will demystify the tech pack—the essential blueprint for bringing a garment design to life. Whether you're a designer, a brand owner, or a student, mastering the tech pack is crucial for effective communication with your production partners, especially with vendors like those at Texworld NYC.
What You'll Learn
We'll start by defining what a tech pack is and why it's the most critical document in the garment production process. You'll learn how to accurately and clearly communicate every design detail, from the specific fabric and trims to the intricate construction techniques. We'll show you how to create a comprehensive specification sheet that leaves no room for error, ensuring your vision is perfectly translated by fabric and manufacturing vendors. The workshop will cover the following key areas:● Understanding the Anatomy of a Tech Pack: Learn to read and interpret the various components of a tech pack, including the Bill of Materials (BOM), stitch and seam details, and colorways.
● Communicating with Vendors: Discover the best practices for sharing technical information with factories and material suppliers, helping you build strong, productive relationships.
● Creating Your Specifications: We'll provide examples of well-documented specs for various garment styles. You will get hands-on experience by beginning to create your own spec sheet during the session, with guidance from our experts.
Key Takeaways
How to Measure and Spec a Garment
Learn the industry standards for measuring a garment correctly. We will teach you how to create precise spec sheets and Points of Measure (POMs) that ensure consistent sizing and fit across all production runs. A well-executed spec sheet is the first step in quality control.Quality Control (QC)
We will show you how to use your tech pack as a Quality Control (QC) checklist. You’ll learn how to cross-reference the final product against your specifications to identify and correct any discrepancies, ensuring the finished garment meets your exact standards before it goes to market.
This workshop is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to streamline your production process, minimize costly errors, and ensure the quality of your finished products.
Speaker (1)
Xochil Herrera
The Chicago Pattern MakerSession
Workshop
Workshop Part 2 - Prototype to Production: Mastering Sample Evaluation and Factory Communication
Please Note: This session allows you entry to the "Prototype to Production: Mastering Sample Evaluation and Factory Communication" Workshop only on Day 2, July 30, 2026, from 12:45 PM - 2:45 PM. This is an Exclusive Rate Available only to attendees of Texworld NYC, Apparel Sourcing NYC, Home Textiles Sourcing, and Printsource.
In this advanced two-hour workshop, you will move beyond creation and into the critical phases of factory collaboration: evaluating the physical prototype and setting final production standards. Xochil Herrera, President and Founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker, will teach you how to review, document and communicate with your factory so that you can move from sample to production with confidence.
What You'll Master in Part II
We will delve into the nuances of the garment sampling process, including how to conduct a thorough sample review and fitting session. You'll learn how to accurately document and communicate necessary revisions back to your factory, focusing on eliminating costly errors related to fit, construction, and materials like fabric hand, shrinkage, and color fastness.
The workshop will cover the following key areas:
- The Sample Review Process: Learn how to evaluate samples (P1, P2, etc.) for fit, function, finishing, and fabrication against your tech pack specifications and industry standard tolerances.
- Identifying and Correcting Fit Issues: Discover professional methods for conducting a fit session, analyzing pattern pieces, and documenting precise corrections for issues like sleeve length, body tightness, and seam placement.
- Setting Production Standards: Understand the distinction between various production samples (Sew-by, PP, TOP) and how to finalize the tech pack for bulk manufacturing, including care labels, hangtags, and packaging.
Key Takeaways
Evaluating Samples and Communicating with your Factory Learn precise methods for inspecting factory samples against the original tech pack, focusing on fit, measurements, and construction. Master how to clearly document any discrepancies (e.g., incorrect seam type, off-spec measurements, material deviation) and use professional terminology to communicate necessary revisions back to the factory effectively.
Resolving Fit and Quality Issues for Production Focus on the critical steps to resolve all identified fit issues and material defects (e.g., color fastness, shrinkage) during the sample review process. Understand how to update the tech pack with acceptable tolerance ranges for the approved Pre-Production (PP) sample to ensure all bulk units consistently meet your brand standards. You'll learn how to cross-reference the final product against your specifications to identify and correct any discrepancies.
Speaker (1)
Xochil Herrera
The Chicago Pattern MakerSession
Workshop
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
In this two-hour workshop, Xochil Herrera, President and Founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker, will demystify the tech pack—the essential blueprint for bringing a garment design to life. Whether you're a designer, a brand owner, or a student, mastering the tech pack is crucial for effective communication with your production partners, especially with vendors like those at Texworld NYC.
What You'll Learn
We'll start by defining what a tech pack is and why it's the most critical document in the garment production process. You'll learn how to accurately and clearly communicate every design detail, from the specific fabric and trims to the intricate construction techniques. We'll show you how to create a comprehensive specification sheet that leaves no room for error, ensuring your vision is perfectly translated by fabric and manufacturing vendors. The workshop will cover the following key areas:● Understanding the Anatomy of a Tech Pack: Learn to read and interpret the various components of a tech pack, including the Bill of Materials (BOM), stitch and seam details, and colorways.
● Communicating with Vendors: Discover the best practices for sharing technical information with factories and material suppliers, helping you build strong, productive relationships.
● Creating Your Specifications: We'll provide examples of well-documented specs for various garment styles. You will get hands-on experience by beginning to create your own spec sheet during the session, with guidance from our experts.
Key Takeaways
How to Measure and Spec a Garment
Learn the industry standards for measuring a garment correctly. We will teach you how to create precise spec sheets and Points of Measure (POMs) that ensure consistent sizing and fit across all production runs. A well-executed spec sheet is the first step in quality control.Quality Control (QC)
We will show you how to use your tech pack as a Quality Control (QC) checklist. You’ll learn how to cross-reference the final product against your specifications to identify and correct any discrepancies, ensuring the finished garment meets your exact standards before it goes to market.
This workshop is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to streamline your production process, minimize costly errors, and ensure the quality of your finished products.
Speaker (1)
Xochil Herrera
The Chicago Pattern MakerSession
Workshop
Workshop Part I - Tech Packs: Your Fashion Design Blueprint
In this two-hour workshop, Xochil Herrera, President and Founder of The Chicago Pattern Maker, will demystify the tech pack—the essential blueprint for bringing a garment design to life. Whether you're a designer, a brand owner, or a student, mastering the tech pack is crucial for effective communication with your production partners, especially with vendors like those at Texworld NYC.
What You'll Learn
We'll start by defining what a tech pack is and why it's the most critical document in the garment production process. You'll learn how to accurately and clearly communicate every design detail, from the specific fabric and trims to the intricate construction techniques. We'll show you how to create a comprehensive specification sheet that leaves no room for error, ensuring your vision is perfectly translated by fabric and manufacturing vendors. The workshop will cover the following key areas:● Understanding the Anatomy of a Tech Pack: Learn to read and interpret the various components of a tech pack, including the Bill of Materials (BOM), stitch and seam details, and colorways.
● Communicating with Vendors: Discover the best practices for sharing technical information with factories and material suppliers, helping you build strong, productive relationships.
● Creating Your Specifications: We'll provide examples of well-documented specs for various garment styles. You will get hands-on experience by beginning to create your own spec sheet during the session, with guidance from our experts.
Key Takeaways
How to Measure and Spec a Garment
Learn the industry standards for measuring a garment correctly. We will teach you how to create precise spec sheets and Points of Measure (POMs) that ensure consistent sizing and fit across all production runs. A well-executed spec sheet is the first step in quality control.Quality Control (QC)
We will show you how to use your tech pack as a Quality Control (QC) checklist. You’ll learn how to cross-reference the final product against your specifications to identify and correct any discrepancies, ensuring the finished garment meets your exact standards before it goes to market.
This workshop is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to streamline your production process, minimize costly errors, and ensure the quality of your finished products.
Speaker (1)
Xochil Herrera
The Chicago Pattern MakerSession
Exhibitor Pitch Talk
Own Your Product Development - Why Patterns and Tech Packs are Critical for Your Brand's Success
Speaker (1)